windows phone 8

How Nokia hobbled itself with an AT&T-exclusive Lumia 920

Nokia just shut its coolest phone out of more than half the U.S. market.

The Finnish handset manufacturer's decision to strike an exclusivity agreement with AT&T for its flagship Lumia 920 means much of its hopes of breaking into the U.S. market rides on just the one carrier, which isn't the smartest decision when said carrier has a huge wave of other smartphones coming out this holiday.

While exclusivity deals were in vogue a few years ago, they've grown increasingly passé as heavy hitters such as Apple and Samsung Electronics have opted … Read more

AT&T doubles down on Nokia with exclusive Lumia 920 deal

AT&T said today it will sell Nokia's Lumia 920 and 820 Windows Phone smartphones, just the latest in the carrier's increasingly crowded lineup of mobile devices.

The phone is expected to hit the market in November, although AT&T wasn't more specific. The company also didn't provide any pricing information. The Lumia 920, however, will be exclusive to AT&T.

The two phones are critical to Nokia's continued survival. While the Lumia 900 was a modest success for AT&T, its performance didn't wow anyone. Nokia is hoping for … Read more

AT&T will get Nokia's Lumia 920, report says

AT&T and Nokia will announce a partnership on the upcoming Lumia 920 later today, according to a report.

AT&T will carry the Lumia 920 in the U.S., Bloomberg is reporting today, citing sources. AT&T won't immediately sell the Windows Phone 8-based device, according to Bloomberg's sources, but it's likely the device will be made available to its customers sooner rather than later.

Nokia unveiled the Lumia 920 last month. The device comes with a 4.5-inch display and includes everything from wireless charging support to near field communication. In addition, … Read more

AT&T nabs One X+, One VX, Windows Phone 8X from HTC

AT&T said today that it would add three more HTC smartphones to its lineup, the HTC One X+, One VX, and Windows Phone 8X.

Windows Phone 8X, which was announced last month, will be available in November, while the One X+ and One VX would be available "in the coming months." No pricing information was provided on the phones.

The announcements are just the latest from AT&T, which has been bulking up its smartphone lineup for the holiday season. In addition to the iPhone 5, which launched last month, the carrier has announced phones … Read more

The best iPhone 5 alternatives

Apple's latest iPhone 5 is certainly off to a big start, with preorders already backed up for weeks. If you're the type who'd rather not wait so long for a new smartphone, though, or who avoids Apple products like the plague, there are plenty of other options out there. In fact, many competing devices offer just as much speed, a bigger screen, and a wider selection of features than Apple's newest creation. … Read more

The iPhone 5 review has landed

Wednesday's CNET Update has a special guest:

CNET's iPhone 5 review is here, and senior editor Scott Stein spent a week secretly living with it to do a thorough review. He was kind enough to stop by the show and let me hold it while I talked about his review. (Yep, I had a geek-out.) During his review, he found a few things surprising: It was noticeably lighter and the 4G ended up being faster than his home Wi-Fi. Also be sure to check out videos about the new panoramic photo feature and Apple's new Maps, available … Read more

HTC Windows Phone 8X vs. Nokia Lumia 920: Specs and more

Editors' note: This article originally posted September 19, 2012 and was updated November 2, 2012, after I reviewed the Nokia Lumia 920 and the HTC Windows Phone 8X, and again on November 6 after AT&T released Lumia 920 pricing .

There's no mistaking it: the Windows Phone 8 battle is heating up between the HTC Windows Phone 8X for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and the Nokia Lumia 920.

The resemblance between the two phones is readily apparent in photos, and more than skin deep. Like the Lumia 920, the HTC Windows Phone 8X drops the phone … Read more

Who has the 'real' Windows Phone? HTC makes its case

With its Windows Phone 8X and 8S smartphones, has HTC actually replaced Nokia as the darling of Microsoft?

Ever since Microsoft veteran Stephen Elop took the reins at Nokia and struck a transformational deal with his former company to fully back Windows Phone, it was assumed that the fallen Finnish mobile devices giant would be first among equals when it came to the upstart mobile operating system.

Elop assumed the role when he said a year ago that Nokia's Lumia handsets were "the first real Windows Phone," a not-so-subtle jab against earlier efforts, and a comment Microsoft … Read more

Verizon gets back on board with Windows Phone

Verizon has never been a staunch supporter of Windows Phone OS, at least in deed. But now, after a long hiatus, the U.S.' largest carrier is offering its first Windows Phone device in over a year. Verizon's sale of the HTC Windows Phone 8X is a move that could give both Microsoft and HTC the dramatic bumps they both need.

The re-emergence of Verizon as a source for Windows Phone is a tremendous win for Microsoft, which has seen the spread of its OS limited by Verizon's wait-and-see attitude. The carrier's tremendous clout could help cement … Read more

HTC co-opts Microsoft's Windows Phone name for 8X, 8S

HTC pulled the curtain back on its Windows Phone 8X and 8S smartphones, the latest takes on Microsoft's upcoming mobile platform.

It's shaping up to be an aggressive launch for Windows Phone 8, which already has the backing of Samsung, Nokia, and now HTC. The phones are expected to debut in November, following closely behind the launch of the desktop and tablet operating system Windows 8.

It's an illustration of Microsoft's confidence in HTC that the Windows Phone name will actually be used as the name of its devices, perhaps dampening Nokia's claim to being the "real" Windows Phone devices. … Read more